You’re a real estate agent? You wanna be a rock star? Be my guest, as there’s room for everyone and every approach. Frankly, as a graduate (with honors) from The Old School, I’d prefer a somewhat different approach, one that has survived the last several thousand years. I’ll get to that later.
First I’ll use a present day example of a different approach.
The example I’ve chosen is not a rock star but a sports figure. I think talking about real estate agents as rock stars has been, at least temporarily turned into the third rail. 🙂
For those not into football, specifically the NFL, there’s a running back in the league named LaDainian Tomlinson. (Known universally as LT) As luck would have it he plays for the San Diego Chargers. Simply put, he’s the best running back of his generation.
One must go into the archives of the 1960’s NFL highlight films to find a football player scoring a touchdown and reacting as if maybe he’s been there and done that a few times before. No dancing, no ‘look at me’ gyrations, no asking the crowd to cheer more loudly. When LaDanian scores, he finds the nearest referee and respectfully hands him the ball. On the way back to his teammates on the sideline he humbly accepts their heartfelt congratulations, then finds the bench and sits down until called on to do his job once again.
LT let’s his on-field performances speak for him.
Back to the different approach. I wrote a post last night…What Really Matters?… approaching this from a slightly different angle.
It’s known as The Old School.
The Old School teaches so many principles which these days are under attack. I’ll deal with just one here, one of my all time favorites.
RESULTS
Nothing trumps results. Let the glitzy agents do their thing as it won’t matter unless in the end they produce results. Same goes with vendors — those who offer a service or product consistently producing the promised results are still around. They are the ones who love BloodhoundBlog too. 🙂
BloodhoundBlog is all about results. It’s what drives the bus here. In fact the Latin root bloodhoundus literally translates to the English — Results.
Again, please don’t misunderstand my point here. A so called Rock Star real estate agent who gets results is fine by me. It’s not my preferred M.O., but The Old School says live and let live. I’ve had agents disagree vehemently with me through the years, yet quietly, and without fanfare, call me to represent them when it’s time to move their investment property. Results — a monster magnet.
Those who have chosen to go the way of The Old School understand what’s really important — and it’s not being famous, or having an incredible stage presence, or any of the other things time ravages.
Consistently produce results and the right folks find you. Become well known for any other reason and folks will eventually find you out. There’s a lesson The Old School taught me long ago. Again with emphasis — Results rule the world. Think I’m overstating my case? Try putting it to the test.
This year make Results your personal gold standard.
Results makes Rock Stars of us all.
KC Investments says:
Results. Results. Results. Why else would anyone even bother?
Seriously, saying your famous amongst other real estate agents means what, exactly?
February 26, 2008 — 4:43 pm
Jonathan Bunn says:
This is a good shot in the arm. At the end of the day nothing matters unless I am getting the job done. And getting the job done in this market takes another old school method lacking in much of our industry… hard work.
February 26, 2008 — 5:03 pm
Jeff Brown says:
Come on, Chris — We both know agents who’d rather be famous around town than unknown but more successful. It’s nuts but it’s true.
February 26, 2008 — 9:13 pm
Jeff Brown says:
Jonathan — In the end, regardless of the system(s) used, hard work is the ‘secret’ to success. You’d think this secret would be out by now. 🙂
February 26, 2008 — 9:16 pm
Daniel Rothamel says:
This is why I choose to use the word “superstar” as opposed to “rock star.” I hope that my posts and ZebraTalk episode about the subject don’t conflate the two, because they are different, at least in my mind.
For some reason, rock star seems to imply a facade. It seems to imply that what is being seen is merely an act.
Superstars, on the other hand, (and like Jeff, I tend to look to sports for my models on this subject) reach that level first through hard work. That is the beauty of sport. It is like real estate in that hard work, dedication, and practice are rewarded time and again. The results might not make you a rock star, but they will be nonetheless rewarding.
The sports and business worlds are filled with quiet superstars. Jerry Rice and Warren Buffet come to mind. I think that both of them would rather let their results do the talking; and I think it is one of the reasons that both of them are considered superstars in their professions.
Just like you, Jeff.
February 27, 2008 — 8:53 am
Jeff Brown says:
Daniel — Your kind words have provided a very nice launch to my day — thanks so much.
Your examples of Rice & Buffet are excellent for so many reasons. Besides their shared work ethic, general character, and grace under pressure, They worked hard and let their results and others’ words speak for them.
There are more than a few, myself included, who think they may have spotted a superstar in the making in Virginia.
February 27, 2008 — 10:38 am
Daniel Rothamel says:
Jeff,
Much like LT, I’m just in my backyard doing hill-climbs. It will all pay off one day.
I’ve written about it before, perhaps I should revisit it, but you can relate to the fact that the epitome of a job well-done for a sports official is the one that goes completely unnoticed by the participants.
Keep up the good work.
February 27, 2008 — 12:40 pm
Greg Swann says:
> the epitome of a job well-done for a sports official is the one that goes completely unnoticed by the participants.
My two favorite art forms are both Lost Arts: Grammar and typography. You notice them only when they’re absent — and that’s as it should be.
February 27, 2008 — 1:32 pm
Jeff Brown says:
Daniel — Building on your sports official thought, the theme is seamlessness. Though it’s always the goal, so many factors outside of our control can affect the outcome — something we’ve both experienced on the court and the diamond.
Your hill work will blossom into an 80 yard run from scrimmage. Consistent, dedicated and intelligent hard work never goes unrewarded.
February 27, 2008 — 2:44 pm
Jeff Brown says:
Why does Greg Swann calling grammar an art form not surprise me in the least?
February 27, 2008 — 2:46 pm
Greg Swann says:
I wrote this to a friend (and I can only do this because I studied Latin):
It’s the future tense with the future perfect and the future-more-vivid subjunctive, but it would take me a decent while to diagram that sentence. That’s good grammar, Jeff. Easy to understand but hard to assemble.
February 27, 2008 — 3:26 pm
Jeff Brown says:
Ain’t it the truth? 🙂
February 27, 2008 — 3:32 pm
KC Investments says:
I have to study frickin’ Latin now. I just want to sell a damn duplex!!!!! 😉
February 27, 2008 — 3:35 pm
KC Investments says:
I have to study frickin’ Latin now? I just want to sell a damn duplex!!!!! 😉
February 27, 2008 — 3:35 pm
Greg Swann says:
> I have to study frickin’ Latin now? I just want to sell a damn duplex!!!!!
Si laboraveris vinces. Literally, “If you will have worked, you will have won.” Textbook future-more-vivid, but it’s clumsy in English. Instead we say, “If you work at it, you’ll win.” That’s not just good grammar, that’s good coaching! 😉
February 27, 2008 — 3:41 pm